[Sidenote: The proofes why they are to learne.]
And to proue that they are to be trained, I finde foure speciall reasons, wherof any one, much more all may perswade any their most aduersarie, much more me, which am for them toothe and naile. 1. The first is the _maner_ and _custome_ of my countrey, which allowing them to learne, wil be lothe to be contraried by any of her countreymen. 2. The second is the _duetie_, which we owe vnto them, whereby we are charged in conscience, not to leaue them lame, in that which is for them. 3. The third is their owne _towardnesse_, which God by nature would neuer haue giuen them to remaine idle, or to small purpose. 4. The fourth is the excellent _effectes_ in that sex, when they haue had the helpe of good bringing vp: which commendeth the cause of such excellencie, and wisheth vs to cherishe that tree, whose frute is both so pleasaunt in taste, and so profitable in triall. What can be said more? our _countrey_ doth allow it, our _duetie_ doth enforce it, their _aptnesse_ calls for it, their _excellencie_ commandes it: and dare priuate _conceit_, once seeme to withstand where so great, and so rare circunstances do so earnestly commende.
But for the better vnderstanding of these foure reasons, I will examine euerie of them, somwhat nearer, as inducers to the truth, ear I deale with the traine. For the first: If I should seeme to enforce any noueltie, I might seeme ridiculous, and neuer se that thing take place, which I tender so much: but considering, the _custome_ of my countrie hath deliuered me of that care, which hath made the _maidens_ traine her owne approued trauell, what absurditie am I in, to say that is true, which my countrie dare auow, and daily doth trie? I set not yong _maidens_ to publike grammer scholes, a thing not vsed in my countrie, I send them not to the vniuersities, hauing no president thereof in my countrie, I allow them learning with distinction in degrees, with difference of their calling, with respect to their endes, wherefore they learne, wherein my countrie confirmeth my opinion. We see yong _maidens_ be taught to read and write, and can do both with praise: we heare them sing and playe: and both passing well, we know that they learne the best, and finest of our learned languages, to the admiration of all men. For the daiely spoken tongues and of best reputation in our time, who so shall denie that they may not compare euen with our kinde in the best degree, they will claime no other combate, then to talke with him in that verie tongue, who shall seeke to taunt them for it. These things our country doth stand to, these qualities their parentes procure them, as either opportunitie of circunstance will serue, or their owne power wil extend vnto, or their daughters towardnesse doth offer hope, to be preferred by, for singularitie of endowment, either in marriage, or some other meane. Nay do we not see in our countrey, some of that sex so excellently well trained, and so rarely qualified, either for the toungues themselues, or for the matter in the toungues: as they may be opposed by way of comparison, if not preferred as beyond comparison, euen to the best _Romaines_ or _Greekish paragonnes_ be they neuer so much praised: to the _Germaine_ or _French_ gentlewymen, by late writers so wel liked: to the _Italian_ ladies who dare write themselues, and deserue fame for so doing? whose excellencie is so geason, as they be rather wonders to gaze at, then presidentes to follow. And is that to be called in question, which we both dayly see in many, and wonder at in some? I dare be bould therefore to admit yong _maidens_ to learne, seeing my countrie giues me leaue, and her _custome_ standes for me.